Child Resistant Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser ( 10 ) includes a container ( 12 ) and a dispensing cap ( 14 ) that is attached to an open end ( 30 ) of the container ( 12 ). The dispensing cap ( 14 ) includes a base portion ( 40 ) that defines a compartment ( 74 ) for receiving a quantity of items from the container ( 12 ) and a rotating portion ( 42 ) that includes an ejecting fin ( 92 ). The rotating portion ( 42 ) can rotate such that the ejecting fin ( 92 ) can contact a quantity of items in the compartment ( 74 ) so as to dispense the quantity of items through an open end of the compartment ( 74 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/751,080, filed Dec. 16, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to dispensers and, more specifically, to loose fill dispensers that include child safety features.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Loose fill dispensers are a convenient packaging format for many applications. For example, loose fill dispensers are useful for dispensing candy, mints, gumballs, and other loose fill items. Loose fill dispensers are also useful for users that get prescriptions filled since the dispensers are refillable and reusable.

However, in dispensing applications that include pills, tablets, and other medicaments, using loose fill dispensers presents a problem in that children can easily access the items contained within the dispenser. Thus, in such dispensing applications, it is desirable to have a loose fill dispenser that includes child resistant features.

Another problem associated with loose fill dispensers, for example, in prescription applications, is that the loose fill dispensers are not configured to provide a unit dose. Rather, the user is required to pour out a quantity of the items contained therein and return the excess amount to the container. Thus, it is desirable to have a loose fill dispenser that dispenses a unit dose.

What is needed is a loose fill dispenser that is easy to operate, includes child resistant features, and is configured to dispense a unit dose.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a dispenser that includes an improved dispensing cap. The improved dispensing cap is received in and attached to an open end of a container of loose fill items. The dispensing cap includes a measuring compartment that is configured to receive an item or quantity of items from the loose fill container of the dispenser. The dispensing cap also includes a moving or rotating portion with an attached fin or wedge element. This fin can be inserted into the measuring compartment to contact, isolate, and dispense the quantity of items. Further the fin blocks additional items from entering the measuring compartment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a dispenser includes a dispensing cap that is secured to the open end of a container. The dispensing cap includes a base portion that defines a compartment or chamber in which an item or quantity of items from the container can be received. A rotating portion is pivotally attached to the base portion. The rotating portion includes an ejecting fin that is dimensioned and positioned to be inserted into the compartment, to contact and isolate an item that is received in the compartment, and to move the item toward or through an open end of the compartment.

The rotating portion also includes a cover portion. The cover portion is positioned to cover, close, or obstruct the open end of the compartment as items are aligned in a path and urged into the compartment. The cover portion is removed from the open end of the compartment as the rotating portion is rotated to provide an opening through which the items in the compartment can exit the compartment. Since the cover portion and the ejecting fin are integral to the rotating portion, the ejecting fin is inserted into the compartment, the cover portion is removed from the open end of the compartment, and the item or quantity of items is dispensed from the compartment in a single action.

The exemplary dispenser includes a safety feature or mechanism that prevents the rotating portion from freely rotating or otherwise fixes the position of the rotating portion. The exemplary safety feature is a cantilever that contacts an edge of the dispenser. To release the safety feature, the cantilever can be deflected inwardly to be displaced fro the edge of the dispenser and thereafter the rotating portion can rotate and the dispenser can be operated.

In the exemplary embodiment, the compartment is at least partially defined by a separation wall, which is offset from a side wall of the container and extends between front and back walls of the container. The exemplary separation wall extends into the container to define a path that precedes or leads to the compartment. In alternative embodiments, such as where the loose fill container has a wide shoulder or is a round bottle, the compartment may be at least partially defined by a plurality of separation walls. Further, a slot is disposed in the separation wall such that the fin can be inserted through the slot and into the compartment, as described above.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser, the dispenser being in the closed position, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, the dispenser being in the open position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevation view of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a dispensing cap base of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dispensing cap base of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a dispenser, according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view of a dispensing cap of the dispenser of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the dispensing cap of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective views of the dispensing cap of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen, model or pattern. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a loose fill dispenser. Generally described, the dispenser includes a loose fill container and a dispensing cap. The dispensing cap is arranged to measure and dispense or eject a quantity of the contents of the dispenser when operated. The dispensing cap further includes child resistant features such that a coordinated set of operations are required to operate the dispensing cap and dispense the contents.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser 10 includes an open-ended container 12 and a dispensing cap 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the elements of the dispenser 10 are arranged or configured to dispense tablets 16 one at a time. The exemplary tablets 16 are substantially oval-shaped. It should be noted that, in alternative embodiments, the dispenser 10 can be arranged, scaled, or dimensioned to dispense items that have a different dimension or shape than that of the exemplary tablets 16 or to dispense more than one of the tablets 16 or of other items. For example, the dispenser 10 can be configured to dispense items that are round or spherical, elliptical, square, caplet-shaped, capsule-shaped, pill-shaped, combinations thereof, and the like.

The exemplary container 12 includes a tubular structure that is defined by a front wall 20, a back wall 22, and side walls 24, 26. One of the ends of the tubular structure is enclosed by a bottom wall 28 and the other of the ends is an open end 30 that includes an edge E1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the side walls 24, 26 include apertures or recesses 32 that are disposed near the open end 30. The recesses 32 are dimensioned and positioned to receive detents so as to provide means for securing, as described in further detail below.

The container 12 can be formed from any suitable material and by any suitable process. In the exemplary embodiment, the container 12 is formed from a transparent or translucent material such that the tablets 16 are viewable to facilitate the dispensing operation, as described in further detail below. However, in alternative embodiments, as an additional child resistance feature, the material from which the container 12 is formed can be opaque. It should be noted that the container 12 can constrain the orientation of the contents of the dispenser 10 to aid in the dispensing operation. For example, the container 12 can be dimensioned such that the tablets 16 remain in sliding contact with the front and back walls 20, 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the dispensing cap 14 includes a base portion 40 and a rotating portion 42. The base portion 40 includes elements that define a path through which the tablets 16 can exit the container 12. Additionally, the base portion functionally receives the rotating portion 42. The base portion 40 includes a tubular structure defined by a front wall 50, a back wall 52, and side walls 54, 56. The bottom end of the tubular structure of the base portion 40 includes an opening 57 and a bottom wall 58 that partially encloses the bottom end of the tubular structure. The top end of the tubular structure is an open end 60 that is defined by an edge E3.

In the illustrated embodiment, a lower portion 62 of the base portion 40 is dimensioned such that the lower portion 62 can be received in the open end 30 of the container 12. An upper portion 64 of the base portion 40 is dimensioned such that the outer surface of the upper portion 64 is outwardly offset from the outer surface of the lower portion 62 and such that an edge E2 is defined by the offset lower and upper portions 62, 64. The lower portion 62 of the side walls 54, 56 include detents 68 that are dimensioned and positioned to be received in and engage the recesses 32 of the container 12, as described in further detail below.

The base portion 40 further includes a separation wall 70 that is disposed between, and substantially parallel to, the side walls 54, 56 so as to extend longitudinally through the tubular structure of the base portion 40. The separation wall 70 extends between, and substantially perpendicular to, the front wall 50 and the back wall 52. A lower end of the separation wall 70 extends from the bottom wall 58. The separation wall 70 defines the border between the bottom wall 58 and the opening 57. In alternative embodiments, such as a container 12 with an offset or wide shoulder at the open end 30 or a circular cross-section, the base portion 40 can include a plurality of separation walls 70.

The size of the opening 57 and the position of the separation wall 70, including the distance that the separation wall 70 is offset from the side wall 58, are design decisions that are at least partially based on the dimensions and shape of the tablets 16. The portion of the separation wall 70 that extends within the tubular structure of the base portion 40 partitions the space inside the tubular structure into a measuring chamber or compartment 74 and a rotating space 76. The illustrated measuring compartment 74 is at least partially defined by the separation wall 70, the side wall 54, portions of the front and back walls 50, 52, the opening 57, and an open end 59. The illustrated rotating space 76 is at least partially defined by the separation wall 70, the bottom wall 58, the side wall 56, and portions of the front and back walls 50, 52.

The base portion 40 further includes elements that receive and rotatably engage the rotating portion 42. The front and back walls 50, 52 include apertures 78 that are dimensioned and positioned to receive axial protrusions and that are aligned along an axis about which the rotating portion 42 rotates, as described in further detail below. The front and back walls 50, 62 further include retaining apertures 80 that are dimensioned and positioned to receive detents, as described in further detail below.

A vertical slot 84 is disposed in the separation wall 70. Here the vertical slot 84 extends from the upper end of the separation wall 70 to a second point below the bottom wall 58. A substantially horizontal slot 86 is disposed in the bottom wall 58. The horizontal slot 86 extends from the separating wall 70 toward the side wall 56. The horizontal slot 86 and the vertical slot 84 are substantially coplanar and intersect where the bottom wall 58 meets the separating wall 70.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the rotating portion 42 includes a lever 90 that functions as a pivotal lid and a wedge element or ejecting fin 92 that extends from the bottom surface of the lever 90. The ejecting fin 92 includes a first edge 94 and a second edge 96 that are designed to be operable as described in further detail below. The lever 90 includes axial protrusions 98 that are dimensioned and positioned to be received in the apertures 78, and detents 100 that are dimensioned and positioned to be received in the retaining apertures 80. The lever 90 can include a contact portion 110 and a cover portion 112 that function as described in further detail below. The lever 90 further includes elements of a safety feature or mechanism. The exemplary safety feature is a safety cantilever 114 that is defined by cuts 116, as described in further detail below.

The dispenser 10 can be assembled according to the following non-limiting method. The dispenser cap 14 can be assembled as the rotating portion 42 is received in the open end 60 of the base portion 40. Specifically, the axial protrusions 98 are received in respective apertures 78. Thereby, the rotating portion 42 is pivotally connected to the base portion 40. The dispensing cap 14 can be assembled with the container 12 as the lower portion 62 of the base portion 40 is received in the open end 30 of the container 12. The lower portion 62 of the base portion 40 is inserted into the open end 30 of the container 12 until the edge E1 at the open end 30 of the container 12 contacts the edge E2 of the base portion 40 and the detents 68 are received in the apertures 32. The dispensing cap 14 is thereby secured to the container 12 to form the dispenser 10.

In alternative embodiments various means for securing the dispensing cap 14 to the container 12 are contemplated, including, but is not limited to, screw caps, ring tops, push tops, mechanical fasteners, chemical bonding, glue or other adhesive, threaded ends, snap in mechanisms or structures, press fitting, combinations thereof, and the like. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the dispensing cap can be integral to the container.

Thereafter, the outside surfaces of the lower portion 62 of the walls 50, 52, 54, 56 of the base portion 40 are adjacent to or in contact with the inside surfaces of the walls 20, 22, 24, 26 of the container 12, respectively. Further, the lower end of the separating wall 70 extends into the container 12 to define a path in which items are aligned prior to migrating or being urged into the measuring compartment 74.

The ejecting fin 66 is coplanar with the slots 84, 86 and can rotate from the rotating space 76 into the measuring compartment 74 or otherwise can be inserted into the measuring compartment 74. Guides G, located proximate to where the slots 84, 86 connect with one another, can be provided so as to extend from the bottom wall 58 of the base portion 40 to prevent tablets 16 in the container 12 from contacting the second edge 70 of the ejecting fin 92 as the ejecting fin 92 is disposed in the horizontal slot 86.

The cover portion 112 of the lever 90 provides the means for opening and closing the dispensing open end 59 of the measuring compartment 74. Specifically, when the lever 90 is in the closed position, the cover portion 112 closes, obstructs, or covers the dispensing open end 69 of the measuring compartment 74. When the lever 90 is rotated, the cover portion 112 is displaced to uncover the dispensing open end 59 of the measuring compartment 74.

Referring to FIG. 1, when the dispensing cap 14 is in the closed position, the rotating portion 42 is releasably locked in place by the safety feature or mechanism. Specifically, the free end of the safety cantilever 114 is obstructed by or contacts the edge E3 of the open end 60 and the cover portion 112 is obstructed by a top edge of the separation wall 70 (best shown in FIG. 2). Thus, the rotating portion 42 is constrained or otherwise substantially unable to rotate relative to the base portion 40. Further, in the closed position, the detents 100 are releasably engaged in respective retaining apertures 80 to additionally secure the rotating portion 42. In the closed position, the ejecting fin 90 is disposed in the rotating space 76 and the lever 90 covers the open end 60 of the base portion 40.

In the exemplary embodiment, the dispenser 10 is operable to measure and dispense the tablets 16 one at a time. Beginning with the dispensing cap 14 in the closed position, the dispenser 10 is rotated, operated, oriented or otherwise turned to align a tablet 16 from the container 12 in a path or chute that is at least partially defined by the lower end of the separation wall 70 that extends into the container 12. The tablet 16 is urged along the path, through the opening 67, and into the measuring compartment 74.

The tablet 16 can then be dispensed by the dispenser 10 with a single pivotal action after the safety feature is released or operated. To release the safety feature, the safety cantilever 114 is deflected inwardly. While the safety cantilever 114 is deflected inwardly, the contact portion 110 is pressed into the rotating space 76 to dispense the tablet 16. The rotating portion 42 is thereby rotated about the axis defined by the apertures 78 and axial protrusions 98 such that the cover portion 112 rotates from the open end 60 of the base portion 26 to form an opening through which the tablet 16 can exit the dispenser 10. Simultaneously, the ejecting fin 92 rotates through the slots 84, 86 and is inserted into the measuring compartment 74 such that first edge 94 of the ejecting fin 92 contacts and isolates the tablet 16. The tablet 16 is thereafter dispensed from the measuring compartment 74 through the opening. The second edge 96 of the ejecting fin 92 obstructs additional tablets 16 from entering the measuring compartment 74 such that only the tablet 16 in the measuring compartment 74 is dispensed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the rotating portion 42 provides means for inserting the wedge element or ejecting fin 92 into the measuring compartment 74 such that the leading edge 94 of the ejecting fin 92 rotates into the measuring compartment 74. In alternative embodiments, means for inserting the wedge element into the measuring compartment can include a moving portion such that the leading edge of the wedge element slides or translates into the measuring compartment.

It should be noted that, in certain embodiments, before the tablet 16 is aligned in the path defined by the separation wall 70 or through the opening 57, the tablet 16 must be properly oriented within the dispenser 10.

Turning now to FIGS. 6-9, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Where the elements introduced and described above are present and substantially similar to the elements present is this embodiment, the same element number has been used with the addition of the prefix “2” or the substitution of the prefix “3” for the prefix “1”. For example, the container 12 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially similar to the container 212 shown in FIG. 6 and the safety cantilever 114 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially similar to the safety cantilever 314 shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, the elements shown in the FIGS. 6-9 embodiment will be introduced and only those features that warrant further discussion will be described.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of a dispenser 210 is illustrated. The dispenser 210 includes a container 212 for holding a plurality of pills 216 and a dispensing cap 214 that is attached to an open end 230 of the container 210. Generally described, the dispensing cap 214 functions to dispense the pills 216 in a unit dose fashion.

The illustrated container 212 has a substantially cylindrical shape, although the shape of the container 212 is merely a design decision, as described above. The dispensing cap 214 can be attached to the container 212 by a snap-on mechanism, threaded ends, press fitting, or other means for attaching described above.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, the dispensing cap 214 includes a base portion 240, a rotating portion 242, and an indexing ring 244. The base portion 240 includes a bottom wall 258 that obstructs pills 216 from exiting through the open end 230 of the container 212 and an opening 257 in the bottom wall 258 through which articles can enter a chamber, channel, throat, or compartment 274. The base portion 240 is configured to receive the rotating portion 242 in an open end 260. A slot 286 is disposed in the bottom wall 258 and/or a wall of the compartment 274. The base portion 240 further includes apertures or recesses 278 that receive detents or protrusions.

The rotating portion 242 includes a lever 290 and axial protrusions 298 that are received and pivotally secured in the recesses 278 such that the lever can pivot about an axis defined by the axial protrusions 298. The lever 290 includes a cover portion 312 that covers an outer open end 259 of the compartment 274 when the rotating portion 242 is rotated to a closed position or otherwise to cover the open end 260 of the base portion 240. The lever 290 further includes a contact portion 310 that is pressed to rotate the rotating portion 242 to an open position and thereby remove the cover portion 312 from covering the outer open end 259 of the compartment 274. The rotating portion 242 further includes an ejecting fin or wedge element 292 that extends from the lever 290. The wedge element 292 is dimensioned and positioned to be received in the slot 286 when the rotating portion 242 is in the closed position and to be inserted into the compartment 274 when the rotating portion 242 is in an open position. The wedge element 292 includes a first edge 294 that contacts and isolates one or more pills 216 as the wedge element 292 is inserted into the compartment 274 and a second edge 296 that prevents other pills 216 from entering the compartment 274 or otherwise obstructs the opening 257 when the wedge element 292 is inserted into the compartment 274.

The base portion 242 is further configured to slideably receive the indexing ring 244. The indexing ring 244 slides over the outside of a cylindrical side wall 266 of the base portion 242. The dispensing cap 214 includes means for positioning the indexing ring 244 with respect to the base portion 240. In the exemplary embodiment, means for positioning includes ribs 267 that extend outwardly from the cylindrical side wall 266 and recesses 269 that are disposed in the inside surface of the indexing ring 244, which slideably contacts the cylindrical side wall 266. The ribs 267 and recesses 269 are dimensioned and positioned to releasably engage one another so as to position the indexing ring 244 with respect to the base portion 242 at a variety of positions, as described in further detail below.

The dispensing cap 214 further includes means for releasably fixing the position of the indexing ring 244. In the exemplary embodiment, the indexing ring 244 includes depressions 272 that are spaced around the perimeter of outside surface of the indexing ring 244. The depressions 272 correspond to or at least partially define the positions of the indexing ring 244. The rotating portion 242 includes a guard or locking structure 282 that extends downwardly from a distal end of the lever 290, which is adjacent to the cover portion 312, and is dimensioned and positioned to be received in a depression 272 when the rotating portion 242 is in the closed position. When the locking structure 282 is aligned and received in one of the depressions 272, the position of the indexing ring 244 is fixed.

The dispensing cap 214 further includes means for releasably fixing the position of the rotating portion 242 in the closed position. The lever 290 includes a safety cantilever 314 that is disposed adjacent to the contact portion 310. A rib or detent 316 extends from the distal end of the safety cantilever 314 so as to contact an edge or surface of the base portion 240 when the rotating portion 242 is in the closed position. Thereby, the safety cantilever 314 obstructs movement of the rotating portion 242 toward the open position or otherwise fixes the position of the rotating portion 242.

It should be understood that means for fixing the position of the rotating portion is not limited to the safety cantilever or to the arrangement of the safety cantilever. For example, a safety cantilever can be an element of the base portion and extend to contact the rotating portion.

An exemplary method of dispensing a pill 216 from the dispenser 210 is now described. The dispenser 210 is oriented or rotated to align, guide, navigate, and/or urge a pill 216 into the compartment 274. Means for aligning can include a structure that defines a path or chute that leads into the compartment 274, as described above, or the shape or dimensions of the compartment 274 itself such that pills 216 that are not properly oriented or aligned are obstructed from entering the compartment 274. After a pill 216 is received in the compartment 274, means for fixing the position of the rotating portion 242 is released. Specifically, the safety cantilever 314 is deflected inwardly such that the detent 315 is displaced from the edge or surface of the base portion 240. Thereafter, a force can be applied to the contact portion 310 of the lever 290 to pivot the rotating portion 242 to an open position thereby inserting the wedge element 292 in the compartment 274 to contact and isolate the pill 216, providing an opening through which the pill 216 can be dispensed from the compartment 274 by rotating the cover portion 312 from an open end 259 of the compartment 274, and dispensing the pill 216 from the compartment 274. In the exemplary embodiment, the inserting, opening, and dispensing steps are completed in a single pivoting action. Further, as the wedge element 292 is inserted in the compartment 274, the wedge element 292 provides means for obstructing or blocking pills 216 in the container 212 from migrating into the compartment 274.

When the rotating portion 242 is in an open position, the guard or locking structure 282 is removed or displaced from a depression 272 of the indexing ring 244 such that the indexing ring 244 can be alternatively positioned, for example, to indicate that pill 216 has been dispensed. Accordingly, each position can be labeled to assist a user in following a prescribed schedule for dispensing the pills 216. For example, when a pill 216 has been dispensed for a position labeled “Tuesday”, the user can rotate or click the indexing ring 244 to a different position labeled “Wednesday” to indicate that the next time to dispense a pill 216 is “Wednesday”.

The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims. 

1. A dispenser (10), comprising: a container (12); a dispensing cap (14) attached to an open end (30) of the container (12), the dispensing cap (14) comprising: a base portion (40) that defines a compartment (74) for receiving a quantity of items from the container (12); and a rotating portion (42) that includes a wedge element (92), wherein the rotating portion (42) can insert the wedge element (92) into the compartment (74) to isolate and dispense at least one item through an open end (59) of the compartment (74).
 2. The dispenser (10) of claim 1, the rotating portion (42) further comprising a cover portion (112) that can cover the open end (59) of the compartment (74).
 3. The dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein the rotating portion (42) is rotated by pressing a contact portion (110) of the rotating portion (42).
 4. The dispenser (10) of claim 1, the rotating portion (42) including a safety cantilever (114) that contacts an edge (E3) of the dispenser (10) such that the position of the rotating portion (42) is fixed.
 5. The dispenser (10) of claim 1, wherein the compartment (74) is at least partially defined by a separation wall (70) that is offset from at least one of the walls of the container (12).
 6. The dispenser (10) of claim 5, wherein the separation wall (70) extends into the container (12) to define a path in which items are aligned prior to entering the compartment (74).
 7. The dispenser (10) of claim 1, the ejecting fin (92) comprising a first edge (94) and a second edge (96), wherein the first edge (94) functions to contact a quantity of items in the compartment (74) to eject the items from the dispenser (10) and the second edge (96) functions to obstruct items remaining in the dispenser (10) from entering the compartment (74).
 8. The dispenser (210) of claim 1, the dispensing cap (214) further comprising an indexing ring (244) that is slideably engaged with the base portion (240).
 9. The dispenser (210) of claim 8, further comprising means for fixing the position of the indexing ring (244).
 10. The dispenser (210) of claim 9, wherein means for fixing the position of the indexing ring (244) comprises at least one depression (272) formed in the dispensing ring (244) and a locking structure (282) that extends from the rotating portion (242), wherein the locking structure (282) can be lockably received in the at least one depression (272) as the indexing ring (244) is positioned such that the at least one depression (272) is aligned with the locking structure (282).
 11. A method for dispensing an article from an article dispenser (10), the method comprising: aligning a first tablet (16) in a path; urging the first tablet (16) along the path into a compartment (74); inserting a wedge element (92) into the compartment (74) to isolate the first tablet (16); opening a cover (112) of a dispenser (10); dispensing the first tablet (16) from the compartment (74).
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of releasing a safety feature (114).
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of blocking a second tablet (16) from migrating into the compartment (74).
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of closing the cover (112) of the dispenser (10), removing the wedge element (92) from the compartment (74), and urging said second tablet (16) into the compartment (74).
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the steps of inserting, opening, and dispensing are completed in a single pivotal action.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the steps of removing and closing are completed in a single pivotal action.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of rotating an indexing ring from a first position to a second position.
 18. A dispenser (10), comprising: a container (12); a dispensing cap (14) attached to an open end (30) of the container (12), the dispensing cap (14) comprising: a compartment (74) for receiving a quantity of items from the container (12); means for inserting a wedge element (92) into the compartment (74) to contact and isolate at least one item through an open end (59) of the compartment (74); means for opening and closing the open end (59) of the compartment (74); means for blocking an opening (57) between the container (12) and the compartment (75).
 19. The dispenser (10) of claim 18, wherein means for inserting a wedge element (92) comprises a moving portion (42) of the dispensing cap (14) and the dispensing cap (14) further comprises means for fixing the position of the moving portion (42). 